Information input method and apparatus using a target pattern and an access indication pattern

ABSTRACT

An information input method and interface, which can easily be operated without direct awareness of hardware, are provided. Image recognition is performed with an image recognition unit on image information obtained from imaging a target pattern on an object surface and an access indication pattern created by a user. The input patterns are created with an image pickup unit. The target pattern is associated with corresponding information stored in a storage unit. An access indication input which specifies a subset of the information is generated by performing image recognition on the access indication pattern. A control operation corresponding to the access indication input is performed in response to the access indication input by a control unit.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. Section119(a)-(d) based on Japanese Patent Application P08-3 15290 filed in theJapanese Patent Office on Nov. 26, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for enteringdata and/or control information into an electronic device. Moreparticularly the present invention relates to a system and method foremploying image recognition to enter information into a computer orother data and/or control system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various new multimedia devices that combine the functions of existingaudio-visual (AV), information, and communication devices have beenproposed which enable input/output of multimedia information. Examplesof such new devices include portable information terminals withcommunications capabilities, camcorders with communicationscapabilities, and personal computers with both communicationcapabilities and AV functions. In addition, systems designed to allowthese new multimedia devices to communicate with each other viadifferent types of networks are under development. Some of the differenttypes of networks that are being used for inter-device communicationinclude Ethernet local area networks (LANs), Token Ring LANs, ATM widearea networks (WANs), wire communication networks like public telephonenetworks, and wireless communication networks such as infraredcommunication systems, cellular telephone systems, and satellitecommunication systems.

Many of these new multimedia devices use the same conventionalinterfaces for inputting information as the existing AV, information,and communication devices. For example, both the conventional and newmultimedia devices use keyboards, mice, touch panels, dedicatedcontrollers and microphones.

As depicted in FIG. 15A, Bar codes are another example of a conventionalmeans used for entering information into multimedia systems. A bar codetypically includes a pattern of lines of varying thicknesses whichrepresent binary codes. They are typically used for the machineidentification of goods and other articles, or to specify a targetobject. Bar codes can be one or two dimensional. In other words, barcodes are arranged so that they can be scanned by a bar code reader ineither one or two different scanning directions. FIG. 15B depicts a twodimensional bar code.

Unfortunately, operating conventional input interfaces is awkward andnot suited to the human senses. This is not to say that existing devicesthemselves are not ergonomic, but rather that their method of operationis not intuitive and they typically require special training andpractice before they can be used efficiently. For example, a keyboardcan have many kinds of adjustments and special comfort features butuntil the user is taught and then practices touch-typing, even the mostergonomic keyboard is very difficult to use efficiently. The same istrue for mice, touch panels, dedicated controllers and microphones usedin conventional multimedia devices. Such input devices simply do notsuit the human senses. In other words, users who are not accustomed tooperating such devices do not intuitively understand the associatedoperating methods, and need special knowledge and training to becomeskilled in operating these devices.

In addition to not being easily recognized or read by humans, systemsthat use bar codes suffer from the added problem that there are only afinite number of codes for a given bar pattern display area. The moredifferent articles that need to be identified by such a system, the moreunique patterns are required. Eventually, either the number of bar codepatterns has to be increased or the number of articles that can beidentified must be limited. Increasing the number of patternsnecessitates increasing the area of the bar pattern display on thearticle. This is not a preferred solution. For example, in the case of aproduct, the surface area of the article is finite and usually used fordisplaying other information. Further, adding more unique patterns byadding additional bars, which typically each only add two bits worth ofinformation, increases the time required to recognize the bar code.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an informationinput apparatus, and an information input method, which can be easily,efficiently, and intuitively operated without the user having to learnhow to use or even become fully aware of specialized hardware.

It is further object of the present invention to provide an informationinput apparatus, and an information input method, which enables a userto specify, associate, and reference information from among a largevolume of data through a simple operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects of the invention are achieved by the presentinvention of an information input method and apparatus. The informationinput method according to the present invention includes the steps ofrecognizing a predefined target pattern on an object's surface,associating the recognized pattern with information, receiving an accessindication input signal that is generated by image recognition of anaccess indication input pattern and that corresponds to the associatedinformation, and performing a control operation corresponding to theaccess indication input signal.

The information input apparatus of the present invention includes imagepickup means for imaging a target pattern and an access indicationpattern, image recognition means for recognizing the target pattern andthe access indication pattern imaged by the image pickup means, storagemeans for storing information associated with the target pattern,authentication processing means for associating the target patternrecognized by the image recognition means with information, and controlmeans for receiving an access indication input signal based on theinformation and for performing a control operation based on the accessindication input signal.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beunderstood upon consideration of the following detailed description ofthe invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram depicting an embodiment of aninformation input apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the structure of a multimedia systemwithin which the information input apparatus of FIG. 1 is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of a hardwarestructure of a portion of the information input apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustration depicting an example arrangement ofan embodiment of an input sheet of the information input apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is an illustration depicting an example of code valueassignments of rotated icon codes that can be used on the input sheet ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is an illustration depicting a first example of rotated iconcodes that can be used on the input sheet of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustration depicting an example embodiment of aninput sheet of FIG. 4 for controlling an electronic device havingconventional video cassette recorder controls.

FIG. 7 is an illustration depicting an exemplary output display of anoutput unit of an embodiment of an information input apparatus accordingto the present invention using the input sheet of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of an identificationprocessing method of recognizing a target with an image recognition unitof an embodiment of an information input apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration depicting the amount of shift detected duringposition correction by the image recognition unit of an embodiment of aninformation input apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration depicting the center of mass and acircumscribed rectangle of each icon extracted by rotated iconextraction processing in an embodiment of an identification processingmethod of recognizing a target according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration depicting a part of a pre-defined rotatedicon code group used in rotated icon code determination processing in anembodiment of an identification processing method of recognizing atarget according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of an input/selectionindication processing method in an embodiment of an image recognitionunit of an embodiment of an information input apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is an illustration depicting an access indication input patterngiving an input/selection indication extracted by input/selectionindication extraction processing performed by an image recognition unitof an embodiment of an information input apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is an illustration depicting a second example of rotated iconsdescribed on the input sheet of FIG. 4.

FIG. 15A is an illustration depicting different formats of onedimensional bar codes used with input systems of the prior art.

FIG. 15B is an illustration depicting a two dimensional bar code usedwith input systems of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of an information inputapparatus 100 according to the present invention includes an imagepickup unit 101, an image recognition unit 102, a control unit 103, astorage unit 104 and an output unit 105. The control unit 103 isconnected to an information distribution unit 106 via communication link108 and to an external device 107 via communication line 109.Communication link 108 can be for example, a network, whilecommunication line 109 can be for example, a home bus.

FIG. 2 depicts an application of the information input apparatus 100 ofFIG. 1. In other words, FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention as itcould be used in, for example, a multimedia system. Referring to bothFIGS. 1 and 2, the image pickup unit 101 images a recognition targetpattern appended onto an object surface, such as paper, and an accessindication pattern made by a user with a finger or any other similarpointer. Specifically, the image pickup unit 101 is preferably embodiedas sensitive digital camera such as a charge-coupled-device (CCD) videocamera 201 as shown in FIG. 2 or a Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector(QWIP) video camera. The CCD video camera 201 is preferably located ontop of a viewer 205A as in the multimedia system of FIG. 2. The CCDvideo camera 201 is focused to capture images of an input sheet 209 seton a medium base 208. The medium base 208 is adjacent to the viewer 205Awhich is disposed in an upright position so that the CCD video camera201, located on top of the viewer 205A, can be focused on input sheet209 on the medium base 208.

In such an embodiment, the input sheet 209 serves as an informationselection medium which is segmented into different category areas. Theinput selection sheet 209 can be made, for example, of paper or a thinplastic sheet. Turning to FIG. 4, an embodiment of an arrangement of theinput sheet 209 of FIG. 2 is shown. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4illustrates an example input sheet 209 that includes five differentcategory areas labeled A, B, C, D and E. Note that a particular categorycan include multiple distinct regions on the input sheet 209.

In the first category area A of the input sheet 209, an authenticationicon is provided that can be used for authenticating that a particularplastic sheet or piece of paper is an input sheet 209 that will bepermitted to be used with the information input apparatus 100 of thepresent invention. In other words, if the input sheet 209 includes anauthentication icon in category area A that the information inputapparatus 100 is able to authenticate, then the system will enableoperation with that particular input sheet 209. Otherwise, the systemwill be disabled from operating with that particular input sheet 209.The combination of an authentication icon located in a predefinedcategory area is referred to as a recognition target pattern.

In the second category area B of a preferred embodiment of an inputsheet 209 there is an identification icon (or icons) for associating aparticular sheet with stored or accessible electronic information. Theidentification icon is also referred to as a recognition target pattern.In the third category area C, an input sheet 209 position correctionmark is provided. In the fourth category area D, a graphic for a user toindicate a selection is provided. Finally, in the fifth category area E,some form of a listing of the information content of the system isprovided. The structure of an input sheet 209 and the arrangement of thegraphics it provides is further described in grater detail below.

The image recognition unit 102 of FIG. 1 performs image recognition onimage information provided by the image pickup unit 101. In theembodiment of FIG. 2, the CCD video camera 201 generates imageinformation from imaging the input sheet 209.

The image recognition unit 102 is embodied within a control box 202 inthe multimedia system shown in FIG. 2. The control box 202 with theimage recognition unit 102 receives the image information output fromthe CCD video camera 201. The image recognition unit 102 performsidentification and authentication processing of the recognition targetpatterns contained within the image information received from the CCDvideo camera 201. Based on the identification and authenticationprocessing, the image recognition unit 102 outputs an identificationresult and an authentication result to the control unit 103.

As will be described below in detail, once an association between aninput sheet 209 and electronic information is made as a result ofrecognizing the recognition target pattern, the image recognition unit102 proceeds to recognize an input/selection indication made by the userand then outputs a recognition result signal to the control unit 103.

Along with the image recognition unit 102, the control unit 103 is alsoprovided within the control box 202 of the multimedia system shown inFIG. 2. The control unit 103 controls transmission and reception ofinformation between the various other components. Based on therecognition result of the recognition target pattern by the imagerecognition unit 102, the control unit 103 determines whether therecognition target pattern is associated with information that is storedlocally in the storage unit 104. If so, the control unit 103 accessesthe associated locally stored information.

If the recognition target pattern is associated with information that isnot stored locally, the recognition result is transmitted to theinformation distribution unit 106. In this case, the associatedinformation is stored in the information distribution unit 106 or in aninformation processing unit located on an external communication networkconnected to the information distribution unit 106. The informationdistribution unit 106 accesses the associated remotely storedinformation.

In either case, once the associated information is located, the controlunit 103 transfers a copy of the associated information into a temporarystorage unit (not pictured) provided within the control unit 103. Theassociated information preferably includes several types of data. Forexample, information associated with an input sheet 209 preferablyincludes display information for providing the user feedback on theoutput unit 105, control information for controlling an external device107, link information to locate other related information, and commandconfiguration information for interpreting and using the input sheet209.

Once the control unit 103 has a copy of the associated information inthe temporary storage unit, authentication is performed for eachinput/selection indication image received from the image recognitionunit 102. As the input/selection indication images are authenticated, adisplay screen on the output unit 105 is updated and control functionsof the external device 107 are performed. In other words,representations indicating the functioning of these different operationsand information distribution results are displayed on the output unit105 as they are performed.

The above-listed types of information that are associated with differentinput sheets 209, or different areas of an input sheet 209, will now beexplained in further detail. The display information includescharacters, images, layout information, sound information and the like.Based on this display information, the control unit 103 creates displayson the output unit 105 and controls sound generation.

The control information includes control commands for controlling anexternal device 107 in response to the user making an input/selectionindication on an input sheet 209. The control unit 103 controls theexternal device 107 based on the control information associated with theinput sheet 209. For example, if the external device 107 is a videocassette recorder (VCR), the control information includes reproduction(play), stop, fast forward, rewind, and pause control information forcontrolling the operation of a VCR. When, for example, the user pointsto a graphic on the input sheet 209 that represents the play controlinformation, the image pickup unit 101 sends image information to theimage recognition unit 102 which, in response, recognizes the playinput/selection indication image and sends a play command to the VCR.

The link information includes addresses for reading out otherinformation when the user makes an input/selection indication. The linkscan point to information stored in the storage unit 104, the informationdistribution unit 106, or an external information processing unitconnected to the communication network. Based on the link information,the control unit 103 accesses other additional information. For example,a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), as used on the Internet, may be usedas link information in the present invention.

The command configuration information includes information indicatingwhich functions are to be performed when a graphic within the D or Ecategory areas of the information input sheet 209 is selected by theuser. The process of a user selecting a graphic on the input sheet 209is also referred to herein as a user input/selection indication. Thecommand configuration information is in the form of a physical positionon the input sheet 209 as selected by the user and a next processingcommand corresponding to that selected position. For example, thecommand configuration information could be a position coordinate and aprocessing command for executing the above-described control informationor link information when the appropriate position coordinate is selectedby the user.

In addition to the control unit 103 and the image recognition unit 102,the storage unit 104 is also provided within the control box 202 in themultimedia system shown in FIG. 2. The storage unit 104 storesinformation associated with the recognition target pattern. Theinformation stored in the storage unit 104 includes the information forcontrolling the external device 107. This information can be retrievedfrom an external information processing unit connected to the networkvia the information distribution unit 106 or, for example, from a remoteinformation source via a satellite communications system. By locatingthe storage unit 104 within the control box 202, the traffic on thenetwork may be reduced and the response time to user input/selectionindications may be shortened.

The output unit 105 preferably includes a display, a speaker, and/or aprinter. Thus, the output unit 105 can provide sound and a visualdisplay of both the function of the operation selected by the user andthe information distribution results. FIG. 7 is an example of sampleinformation output to an output unit 105 display screen. On the leftside of the display screen 700 there is a graphic 710 illustrating thefunction of the operation selected by the user. Note that VCR controlsare represented and the play command graphic 720 (a right pointingarrow) is darkened. This indicates the user selection of the playcommand. On the right side of the display screen 700 there is an image730 output from the external device 107 which represents the informationdistribution results. Image outputs of various other devices undercontrol of the system may also be synthesized and outputted to theoutput unit 105 as shown in FIG. 7. The output unit 105 of themultimedia system shown in FIG. 2 is embodied as a viewer 205A and avideo scan converter 205B.

The information distribution unit 106 can be connected to the controlunit 103 via wire communication networks such as Ethernet LANs, TokenRing LANs, or ATM WANs. Alternatively, wireless communication networkssuch as infrared, PHS telephone, digital cellular telephone, orsatellite communication systems can be employed.

When the control unit 103 determines that the recognition result fromthe image recognition unit 102 requires information associated with aparticular input sheet 209 that is not available locally in the storageunit 104, the information distribution unit 106 retrieves the associatedinformation from an external information processing unit connected tothe system via the communication network. In the multimedia system shownin FIG. 2, the information distribution unit 106 is embodied as aprogrammed workstation 206.

The external device 107 can be any number of different electronicdevices that can be controlled by the control unit 103 in response tothe input/selection indication. For example, in FIG. 2, the externaldevice 107 includes an AV controller device 207A, a VCR 208B, a modem207C, a telephone set 207D, and a camera 207E. The external device 107could also include many other types of electronic devices, such as,computers and game machines. The external device 107 can be connected tothe control unit 103 via wire communication lines or wirelesscommunication systems.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary hardware embodiment of the control box 202of FIG. 2. The control box 202 of FIG. 2 includes a central processingunit (CPU) 301, an image processing unit 302, a camera interface 303, adisplay interface 304, a network interface 305, a home network interface306, a read only memory (ROM) 307, a random access memory (RAM) 308, ahard disk drive (HDD) 309. All of the components of the control box 202can be interconnected via a bus 310. Alternatively, these components canbe connected to each other via dedicated communications paths. Forexample, the camera interface 303 is shown connected directly to theImage processing unit 302 by a dedicated link. Likewise, the CPU canhave a second separate bus for connecting to the ROM 307 and/or RAM 308.

The CPU 301 is adapted to control the control box 202 in accordance witha system program stored in the ROM 307 or a program developed in the RAM308. The CPU 301 provides some of the functions of the image recognitionunit 102 and some of the functions of the control unit 103 depicted inFIG. 1. In other words, both the image recognition unit 102 and thecontrol unit 103 can be in part embodied as a CPU 301.

Programs and data necessary for the CPU 301 to perform various types ofprocessing are stored in the ROM 307. The ROM 307 provides some of thefunctions of the control unit 103 of FIG. 1. The RAM 308 is adapted todevelop and temporarily store programs and data necessary for the CPU301 to perform various types of processing. The RAM 308 also providessome of the functions of the control unit 103 of FIG. 1. In other words,the control unit 103 can be in part embodied as a ROM 307 and a RAM 308together with a CPU 310. The HDD 309 provides the functions of thestorage unit 104 of FIG. 1 and thus, the storage unit 104 can beembodied as a HDD 309.

The image processing unit 302 receives image information from the CCDvideo camera 201 via the camera interface 303. Various types of imageprocessing are performed by the image processing unit 302 such as imagerecognition processing. The image processing unit 302 provides some ofthe functions of the image recognition unit 102 of FIG. 1. The camerainterface 303 receives image information from the CCD video camera 201and then converts the image information to a signal format compatiblewith the image processing unit 302. The camera interface 303 thenoutputs the converted image information to the image processing unit302. Thus, the image recognition unit 102 can be embodied in part as acamera interface 303 and an image processing unit 302 together with aCPU 301.

The display interface 304 receives display data processed by the CPU 301and the image processing unit 302, converts the display data to signalscompatible with the viewer 205A, and then outputs the converted signalsto the viewer 205A. The display interface 304 and the viewer 205Aprovide some of the functions of the output unit 105 of FIG. 1. Thus,the output unit 105 can be embodied in part as a display interface 304and a viewer 205A.

The network interface 305 provides a connection to the workstation 206,thereby enabling access to an external network. The network interface305 and the workstation 206 provide some of the functions of thecommunication link 108 and the information distribution unit 106 ofFIG. 1. Thus, the communication link 108 and the informationdistribution unit 106 can be embodied in part as a network interface 305and a workstation 206.

The home network interface 306 provides a connection to the externaldevice 107. The CPU 301 is thus able to control the external units207A-207E via the home network interface 306. The home network interface306 and the external units 207A-207E provide some of the functions ofthe communication line 109 and the external device 107 of FIG. 1. Thus,the communication line 109 and the external device 107 can be embodiedin part as a home network interface 306 and a plurality of externalunits 207A-207E such as VCRs, modems, video cameras, etc.

The above described constituent components 301-309 are connected to oneanother via a bus 310. Together, they provide the various functions ofthe information input apparatus as described above with reference toFIG. 1.

The input sheet 209 imaged by the information input apparatus asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 above is explained below ingrater detail with reference to FIG. 4. As described above, the inputsheet 209 is preferably segmented into the five category areas A, B, C,D and E.

In the first category area A of the input sheet 209, an authenticationicon is provided for authenticating that a particular plastic sheet orpiece of paper is an input sheet 209 that will be permitted to be usedwith the information input apparatus 100 of the 30 present invention. Asexplained above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the authenticationicon is provided as a recognition target pattern. The authenticationicon in the category area A is imaged by the CCD video camera 201 andcompared with comparative icon information stored in the ROM 307 by theCPU 301. When the CPU 301 is able to find a match between theauthentication icon of the input sheet 209 and the comparative iconinformation stored in the ROM 307, operation proceeds to identificationprocessing using the category area B. If no match exists, an errormessage is displayed on the viewer 205A.

In the second category area B, an identification icon (or icons) forassociating the particular sheet with electronic information is providedas a recognition target pattern. The identification icon has adirectionality and a predefined number of recognizably distinctorientations. For example, in the FIG. 4 embodiment of the input sheet209, an icon resembling a key is used. The key shape has a narrow endand a wide end that gives it directionality and allows one to identifyits orientation. Further, different orientations of the identificationicon represent different values, codes or meanings. In the embodimentpictured in FIG. 4, each identification icon that serves as part of therecognition target pattern in the category area B, has eight distinctorientations. Thus, each identification icon can be oriented such thateight distinct code values can be represented based solely on theorientation of the icon. FIG. 5A illustrates an example of eightdistinct orientations for the key shaped icon with one of eight distinctcode values assigned to each orientation.

Through the use of just a few additional distinctly oriented iconstogether in a sequence, many more distinct codes can be represented. Forexample, using a sequence of four identification icons, each havingeight distinct orientations, 4096 different code values can berepresented. The number of values that can be represented by four iconswith eight orientations is computed as follows:

    (8 orientations).sub.icon1 *(8 orientations).sub.icon2 *(8 orientations).sub.icon3 *(8 orientations).sub.icon4 =8.sup.4 =4096 values

Using the example orientation value assignments depicted in FIG. 5A, theordered sequence of identification icons 500 shown in FIG. 5B representsa code value of "2574".That is to say, the first key icon 510 represents"2", the second key icon 520 represents "5", the third key icon 530represents "7", and the fourth key icon 540 represents "4".

In the third category area C, a position correction marks are provided.The position correction marks are used for performing positioncorrection of the image picked up by the CCD video camera 201.

In the fourth category area D, a graphics are provided for the user toperform a selection indication. By selecting a graphic in area D, theuser can select information which is displayed on the viewer 205A but isnot displayed in the category area E of the input sheet 209. That is,the category area D is used to make a selection indication whenever theselection information provided in the category area E of the input sheet209 differs from the selection information displayed on the viewer 205A.This allows the information input apparatus 100 to dynamically add inputselection options not present in category area E, via the viewer 205A.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when up, down, left, and rightarrowhead graphics are provided in category area D, the user can choosean arbitrary arrowhead graphic in category area D to perform theshifting of a cursor and/or the determination of a menu selection on amenu screen displayed on the viewer 205A. Although the graphics providedin the category area D can be embodied as an up, down, left, and/orright arrow figures to provide cursor movement functions, the graphicsare not necessarily limited to such arrowhead shaped figures and thefunctions are not necessarily limited to such cursor movement functions.

For example, if the input sheet is to be used as a common medium forcontrolling both a VCR and an audio system, graphics for controllingfunctions common to both external devices are provided. VCRs and audiosystems frequently have functions in common such as, playback, stop, andrecord functions. Thus, by associating graphics in the category area Dwith command configuration information which includes embeddedprocessing commands and position information, execution of the embeddedprocessing commands is enabled. In the above-described example, theembedded processing commands include: upward, downward, leftward, andrightward cursor shift commands, and play, stop, and record commands.But for example, for a compact disc (CD) player, similar graphics couldbe used for commands such as forward within track, forward to nexttrack, reverse within track, reverse to previous track, eject, stop, andchange information display mode. Recall that command configurationinformation is copied into the temporary storage unit within the controlunit 103 once an information sheet 209 is authenticated and identified.

The content of the substantive information available via the informationinput apparatus 100 is provided in the fifth category area E. Thiscontents listing can be displayed in many different ways. For example,it can be displayed in the form of a table that enumerates generaltopics arranged in a subject matter based order, or as an image mapanalogous to a hyper-text transmission protocol (HTTP) image map used onWorld Wide Web (WWW) pages on the Internet, and/or as a detailed indexthat itemizes each an every bit of substantive information available ina alphabetical order. By viewing the information described in thiscategory area E, the user can learn what information is accessible withthe particular input sheet 209 currently imaged by the CCD video camera201.

In addition, once a particular input sheet 209 is recognized by theinformation input apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the user may selectfrom the contents information provided in this category area E by simplypointing to the desired item of information within the contentsinformation. The step of pointing provides an indication selection imagepattern that can be recognized by the interface system 100. Theindication of a particular selection is then provided to the controlunit 103 which then can perform some predetermined processing.

As an example, consider the input sheet 209 of FIG. 6. The category areaE includes a graphic image map of VCR control buttons. The graphics 600that represent the six different control buttons provided an intuitiveset of controls that correspond to the VCR functions of play 610, stop620, pause 630, rewind 640, fast forward 650, and eject 660. Thisexample arrangement allows the user to easily operate the VCR using thesix control buttons. Although the information contents described in thecategory area E has been explained using the control buttons for a VCR,one skilled in the art would realize that many different devices can becontrolled using an appropriate input sheet 209 and, in particular, thatthe information contents are not necessarily limited to such VCR controlbuttons.

As a further example, the contents information in the category area Ecould be in the form of a series of menus. Thus, in response to the userpointing to a particular menu in the category area E using a finger, asubsequent display of menu items that correspond to the selected menu isdisplayed on the viewer 205A. Thus, by associating menus in the categoryarea E with link information and command configuration information whichincludes embedded processing commands and position information, thedisplay of link information and execution of the embedded processingcommands is enabled. In this example a subsequent list of menu items aredisplayed on the viewer 205A in response to the user pointing to thelocation of the related initial menu on the input sheet 209. Once again,associated link information and command configuration information arecopied into the temporary storage unit within the control unit 103 oncean information sheet 209 is authenticated and identified.

In a multimedia system structured as described above, the imagerecognition unit 102 carries out identification processing foridentifying the type of input sheet 209 being used. This happens oncethe input sheet 209 has been authenticated by authentication processingof the image of the input sheet 209 received from the CCD video camera201.

The authentication processing is carried out by first performingpre-processing, such as, elimination of noise, variable densityprocessing, and adjustment of threshold value. Next position correctionis performed. The system then proceeds to extract the center of mass andcontour of the authentication icon used as the recognition targetpattern in the category area A at the upper center of the input sheet209. Finally, the system attempts to match the image information with astored the authentication icon pattern.

Next identification processing takes place. For example, as shown in theflowchart of FIG. 8, pre-processing (S801) is first performed, such as,elimination of noise, variable density processing, and adjustment of athreshold value, with respect to the image information obtained asimaging output of the CCD video camera 201 focused on the input sheet209. Then, position correction processing (S802) is performed by firstdetecting and measuring a positional shift based on the imageinformation of the position correction mark provided in the categoryarea C preferably located at the four corners of the input sheet 209.The position correction processing (S802) then performs a transformationof the coordinate system corresponding to the amount of the positionalshift. Next, extraction processing (S803) of the identification iconprovided as a recognition target pattern in the category area B of theinput sheet 209 is carried out and determination processing (S804) of arotated icon code is performed.

In the position correction processing (S802), the positional shift froma reference position is detected based on the image information obtainedas imaging output of the CCD video camera 201 focused on the categoryarea C of the input sheet 209. As shown in FIG. 9, the system overlays acorrection pattern on the position correction marks and detects thedirection and magnitude of any position error. For example, coincidence900 occurs if the sheet is properly aligned, shift to upper left 910occurs if the input sheet 209 is too high and off to the left, shift toupper right 920 occurs if the input sheet 209 is too high and off to theright. Unless the coincidence 900 pattern is detected, positioncorrection is then carried out by mathematically transforming thecoordinate system of the image recognition in accordance with thedirection and magnitude of the positional shift.

In the extraction processing of the identification icon (S803), thecenter of mass of variable density level and a circumscribed rectangleare found for each icon from the image information obtained as imagingoutput of the CCD video camera 201 focused on the category area B of theinput sheet 209, as shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the center of mass ofeach icon as determined by the identification icon extraction processing(S803) is indicated by a white spot and the circumscribed rectangle isindicated by a broken line.

In the rotated icon code determination processing (S804), one of eightdifferent orientations of the icon are determined by referring to adirection characteristic table of the rotated icon. The directioncharacteristic table defines the eight different orientations in termsof two parameters; the center of mass and the aspect ratio of thecircumscribed rectangle found in the identification icon extractionprocessing (S803). The direction characteristic table is expressed asshown below in Table 1. It is predetermined based on the conditionsindicated by characteristics of each icon orientation. For example, thesecond row of the table is read as: "if the aspect ratio of thecircumscribed rectangle is 2.5 or greater and the position of the centerof mass is in the upper half of the circumscribed rectangle, the rotatedicon is oriented downward." Based on the assignment of the icon'sorientation with a code value as shown in FIG. 5A, the rotated icon isconverted to a code. This processing is repeated for each of the fouricons so as to determine a sequence of four codes.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Orientation of Icon                                                                          Characteristics                                                ______________________________________                                        upward         aspect ratio 5:2, center of mass                                  located in lower half of rectangle                                           downward aspect ratio 5:2, center of mass                                      located in upper half of rectangle                                           rightward aspect ratio 2:5, center of mass                                     located in left half of rectangle                                            leftward aspect ratio 2:5, center of mass                                      located in right half of rectangle                                           upper rightward aspect ratio 1:1, center of mass                               located in lower left area of rectangle                                      lower rightward aspect ratio 1:1, center of mass                               located in upper left area of rectangle                                      upper leftward aspect ratio 1:1, center of mass                                located in lower right area of rectangle                                     lower leftward aspect ratio 1:1, center of mass                                located in upper right area of rectangle                                   ______________________________________                                    

Next, the rotated icon code sequence found from the four rotated iconsis compared with a pre-defined rotated icon code group as shown in FIG.11. The best match between the rotated icon code sequence and one of thepre-defined code groups is selected as the rotated icon code of theinput sheet 209. The best match is determined by finding the pre-definedrotated icon code group with the smallest sum of differences between therespective parts of the pre-defined rotated icon code group and therotated icon code sequence. If the sum of differences of all thepre-defined rotated icon code groups exceeds a threshold value, therecognition target is not recognized as known code and is judged asunrecognizable.

As described above, the control unit 103 determines whether or not anassociation between the recognition result of the recognition target bythe image recognition unit 102 and some of the information stored in thestorage unit 104 can be made. If an association can be made, thatinformation is accessed. That is, if association with information storedin the apparatus itself can be made, the associated information isimmediately accessed. If there is no information associated with therecognition result from the image recognition unit 102 that is currentlystored in the storage unit 104, the recognition result is transmitted tothe information distribution unit 106.

In this case, the associated information is stored in the informationdistribution unit 106 or the information processing unit existing in theexternal communication network connected to the information distributionunit 106. Thus, after the information associated with the recognitionresult of the recognition target by the image recognition unit 102 islocated by the information distribution unit 106, the control unit 103reads the associated information into the temporary storage unitprovided in the control unit 103.

Thus, when identification of an input sheet 209 and determination of itstype is completed, processing is performed based on the information readinto the temporary storage unit provided in the control unit 103. Thisall occurs in response to the input/selection indication from the imagerecognition unit 102.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the steps used in theinput/selection indication processing by the image recognition unit 102.Pre-processing (S1201) is first performed. This includes functions suchas, elimination of noise, variable density processing, and adjustment ofthreshold value. The pre-processing (S1201) is performed on the imageinformation obtained as imaging output of the CCD video camera 201during the input/selection indication on the input sheet 209 as made bythe user.

Next, position correction processing (S1202) is begun by detecting apositional shift as shown in FIG. 9 based on the image information ofthe position correction mark provided in the category area C at the fourcorners of the input sheet 209. Position correction processing (S1202)proceeds by computing the mathematical transformation of the coordinatesystem corresponding to the magnitude and direction of the positionalshift as described above with reference to FIG. 9. As a result,position-corrected binary image information is obtained.

In the next step, extraction processing (S1203) of the input/selectionindication is performed, and then determination processing (S1204) ofthe input/selection indication is performed.

In the input/selection indication extraction processing (S1203), apre-stored original image of the input sheet 209 is compared to avariable-density image where the input/selection indication is detected.The position-corrected variable-density image information which, forexample, could be a pattern indicated by a finger as shown in FIG. 13,is extracted as a differential image from the original image of theinput sheet 209. That is, an access indication input pattern isdetermined for specifying the input/selection indication. An indicationarea includes the entire extracted differential image. Thus, acircumscribed rectangle and a pixel distribution within the indicationarea can be determined.

Next, in the input/selection indication determination processing(S1204), the direction of entry of the pointer into the indication areais determined from the pixel density distribution on each edge of thecircumscribed rectangle. Image scanning within the rectangle is carriedout relative to the entry direction and thereby the end point positionof the pointer is determined. In the example embodiment of FIG. 11, theentry direction of of the pointer is found by confirming whether a largenumber of pixels of high density are distributed on a particular edge ofthe indication area. The category area E is divided into a plurality ofblocks of known area and the image scanning is carried out by scanningfor pixels within these blocks based on the pointer entry direction andthe corresponding scanning pattern specified in Table 2. Thus, byscanning only the indication area of the image which is divided in toblocks, high-speed detection of the pointer end point within a limitedscanning area is enabled.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        ENTRY DIRECTION SCANNING PATTERN                                              ______________________________________                                        entry from right edge                                                                         scanning of left end blocks in                                   rectangle from upper edge                                                    entry from left edge scanning of right end block in                            rectangle from upper edge                                                    entry from upper edge scanning of lower end blocks in                          rectangle from left edge                                                     entry from lower edge scanning of upper end blocks in                          rectangle from left edge                                                     entry from upper right edge scanning of lower left end blocks in                              rectangle from left edge                                      entry from lower right edge scanning of upper left end blocks in                              rectangle from left edge                                      entry from upper left edge scanning of lower right end blocks                  in rectangle from left edge                                                  entry from lower left edge scanning of upper right end blocks                  in rectangle from left edge                                                ______________________________________                                    

The detected end point position is converted to correspondingcommand/information, which is transmitted to the control unit 103. Inthe example shown in FIG. 13, the end point position of the finger isconverted to the corresponding area number "6". In FIG. 13, the areaindicated by cross hatching is a block within the category area Ecorresponding to the area number "6".

Finally, the control unit 103 executes processing corresponding to thearea number "6" which is defined in the command configurationinformation contained in the retrieved associated information of theidentified input sheet 209 stored in the temporary storage unit of thecontrol unit 103.

Therefore, in the information input apparatus 100, authenticationprocessing is performed by image recognition of the recognition targetpattern provided on an input sheet 209. That is, a static medium can beused as the recognition target and an association between therecognition target and corresponding information can be made. The accessindication input specifying the associated information is detected byimage recognition of the access indication input pattern. Thus, dynamicaccess of information can be carried out using a recognition targetdisplayed on a static medium.

The recognition target pattern is not limited to a key-shaped pattern asin the above described embodiment. It can be any distinct pattern withsome directionality. Therefore, by combining the shape and theorientation of other recognition patterns, for example, as shown in FIG.14, an infinite number of different types of input sheets 209 can bedefined.

Also, after recognition of the input sheet 209, the input/selectionindication may be performed by merely pointing with a finger to thedesired input/selection indication contents of the input sheet 209.Thus, the information input/output/selection operation may be easilycarried out without directly becoming aware of the hardware, and theinput/selection indication contents can be associated with specifiedinformation from among a very large volume of data.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the center of mass of avariable density level and the circumscribed rectangle of an icon'simage are used for recognition of the rotated icon code. However, theorientation with respect to a prepared template image may be found bymatching processing.

As is described above, in an information input apparatus and methodaccording to the present invention, image recognition of a recognitiontarget pattern displayed on an object surface is performed, and aoptically recognized target pattern is associated with correspondinginformation. Then, an access indication input corresponding toassociated information is received by image recognition of an accessindication input pattern. A control operation corresponding to theaccess indication input, which is received based on the informationassociated with the recognition target pattern, is performed. Thus, theuser can easily carry out information input/output/selection operationwithout directly becoming aware of hardware.

In addition, in an information input apparatus and method according tothe present invention, control contents that correspond to the accessindication input and information transmission results, are displayedaccording to the information associated with the recognition targetpattern. In other words, the present invention can be used to index avast amount of data using a small display area and a user friendlyinterface. Thus, the information input apparatus of the presentinvention can be used to easily and efficiently distinctly specifyparticular information from among a large volume of data.

Also, in the information input apparatus and method according to thepresent invention, an authentication pattern and an identificationpattern are recognized as a recognition target pattern displayed on anobject surface. Only after authentication processing is performed on therecognized authentication pattern, is the recognized identificationpattern associated with the corresponding information. Thus,illegitimate access indication input is prevented and only accessindications input by a legitimate user will result in informationretrieval.

Further, in the information input apparatus and the information inputmethod according to the present invention, each time an accessindication input is received by image recognition of the accessindication input pattern, authentication processing is performed on therecognized authentication pattern. Only if the pattern is authenticated,will a control operation corresponding to the access indication beperformed. Thus, illegitimate access indication inputs are prevented andonly access indication inputs by a legitimate user will result inexecution of an operation.

Thus, the present invention provides an information input method and aninformation input apparatus which the user can easily operate withoutdirectly becoming aware of hardware. In addition, the present inventionenables direct association of a small, simple interface with particularinformation contained within a large volume of data. By simpleoperations the user is able to directly access the desired information.

Various other modifications and alterations in the structure and methodof operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionAlthough the invention has been described in connection with specificpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention asclaimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. It isintended that the following claims define the scope of the presentinvention and that structures and methods within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information input method comprising the stepsof:performing image recognition of a target pattern on an object,including the steps of:performing image recognition of an authenticationpattern; performing authentication processing on the recognizedauthentication pattern; and performing image recognition of anidentification pattern; associating the recognized target pattern withinformation; performing image recognition of an access indicationpattern on the object; associating the recognized access indicationpattern with a subset of the associated information; and performing acontrol operation in response to the associated subset of the associatedinformation, wherein:said information input method uses an input sheetto input information into an information input apparatus; saidauthentication pattern indicates whether said input sheet is permittedto be used with said information input apparatus; and saididentification pattern is associated with electronic information forcontrolling the information input apparatus.
 2. An information inputapparatus comprising:image pickup means for imaging a target pattern onan object and an access indication pattern; image recognition means forperforming image recognition of image information imaged by the imagepickup means; storage means for storing information associated with thetarget pattern; processing means for associating the target patternrecognized by the image recognition means with associated informationand for associating the access indication pattern recognized by theimage recognition means with a subset of the associated information; andcontrol means for performing a control operation in response to anaccess indication corresponding to said subset of the associatedinformation, wherein said target pattern includes an authenticationpattern and an identification pattern, and wherein the image recognitionmeans comprises:authentication recognition means for performing imagerecognition of said authentication pattern; authentication processingmeans for performing authentication processing on the recognizedauthentication pattern; and identification recognition means forperforming image recognition of said identification pattern.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, further comprising:an input sheet used to inputinformation into said information input apparatus; wherein saidauthentication pattern indicates whether said input sheet is permittedto be used with said information input apparatus; and wherein saididentification pattern is associated with electronic information forcontrolling the information input apparatus.
 4. An information inputapparatus comprising:an image recognition circuit for recognizing atarget pattern and an access indication pattern; a data access circuit,coupled to the image recognition circuit, for accessing informationspecified based on the recognized target pattern, and for accessing asubset of said information based on the recognized access indicationpattern; a control circuit, coupled to the data access circuit, forperforming an operation in response to the subset of said informationaccessed by the data access circuit, wherein said target patternincludes an authentication pattern and an identification pattern, andwherein the image recognition circuit comprises:authenticationrecognition means for performing image recognition of saidauthentication pattern; authentication processing means for performingauthentication processing on the recognized authentication pattern; andidentification recognition means for performing image recognition ofsaid identification pattern.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, furthercomprising:an input sheet used to input information into saidinformation input apparatus; wherein said authentication patternindicates whether said input sheet is permitted to be used with saidinformation input apparatus; and wherein said identification pattern isassociated with electronic information for controlling the informationinput apparatus.